On Thu, 15 Jan 2004 09:53:06 +1100, Wendy Wilkie wrote: >I am interested in people's ideas on theologies of abundance and theologies >of scarcity and how it affects our attitudes and actions. It is raised for >me a bit by the reading this week on the wedding at Cana and the thought of >all that wine - 150 gallons!! But also linked in with other stories of >abundance and extravagant actions in the gospels. > > > >Does our church have a theology of scarcity and does it then hoard and hang >on to - at all levels !! Do we operate under a scarcity mentality - and >therefore think too much about what we can afford to give away - time, >money, ideas, information, love? Worry about what we might need to keep for >later? What about all the money congregations and synods and others have >in funds for "what if" / for a rainy day? Many in our congregations lived >through the depression and scarcity in war etc or were affected deeply by >parents who did. How does that experience affect them/us? Does the current >world insecurity and dependence on international money markets lead us to >a scarcity mentality or at least a very cautious attitude to what we do >personally and in the church. > > > >What if we operated out of a theology of generosity - how would we balance >responsible financial management and accountability with generosity? Would >it help us to take more risks? Personally, in mission, with our money? >Would we be more open, free, or setting ourselves up to be taken advantage >of? Would it make it easier to release energy and money or would we be more >reckless? Are we really generous with our loving and living or is that also >affected by a scarcity mentality?. >
I think these are very good questions. At a personal level, I believe we do need to learn to give freely. At a local church level, ditto, except that as we move up the levels accountability does become an issue, as it involves being responsible with other people's money that was given with the understanding that it would be used wisely. [And that in itself becomes an issue, particularly as it is moved beyond the local level.] Our church has about half a dozen missionaries/ mission couples. We have learnt to trust them that, in the unlikely event that they be given too much, that it is not money wasted, as they in turn give freely to others. As a Sydneysider, I do think that we suffer from a 'scarcity mentality' when it comes to time. In fact, I think I've suffered from it all my life, and need to learn to trust more in God's provision in this respect. Thanks for raising this issue, Wendy. I think I/we may be so put off by the 'prosperity gospel' that we are in danger of being spiritual misers. Peace etc beyond our understanding, Sue Sue Bolton Sydney, Australia ------------------------------------------------------ - You are subscribed to the mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe, email [EMAIL PROTECTED] and put in the message body 'unsubscribe insights-l' (ell, not one (1)) See: http://nsw.uca.org.au/insights-l-information.htm ------------------------------------------------------
